A spent fuel storage rack 1 according to the present invention is installed in a fuel storage pool of a nuclear facility, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape forming a plurality of lattice-like cells 2a that are configured to separately accommodate a plurality of fuel assemblies in a matrix of rows and columns. As shown in FIG. 1, the spent fuel storage rack 1 includes: a base 17 configured to support lower parts of fuel assemblies, the base 17 forming a bottom surface of the spent fuel storage rack 1; an outer frame 3 located above the base 17, the outer frame 3 forming an outermost periphery of the spent fuel storage rack 1; and a lattice body 2 disposed inside the outer frame 3, the lattice body 2 forming the lattice-like cells 2a. The lattice body 2 includes: a main lattice 4 having a height equivalent to an active length of the fuel assembly; an upper lattice 5 disposed above the main lattice 4 so as to be fitted to an upper end of the main lattice 4; and a lower lattice 6 disposed between the base 17 and the main lattice 4 so as to be fitted to a lower end of the main lattice 4. Thus, the main lattice 4 can be formed without welding, whereby the main lattice 4 can be made of a boron-added stainless steel to which a sufficient amount of boron is added to absorb neutrons.
|
1. A spent fuel storage rack for a nuclear facility, the spent fuel storage rack having a rectangular parallelepiped shape comprising a lattice having cells that are configured to separately accommodate a plurality of fuel assemblies in a matrix of rows and columns, the spent fuel storage rack comprising:
a base configured to support lower parts of fuel assemblies, the base forming a bottom surface of the spent fuel storage rack;
an outer frame located above the base, the outer frame forming an outermost periphery of the spent fuel storage rack; and
a lattice body disposed inside the outer frame, the lattice body forming the cells;
wherein the lattice body includes:
a main lattice located at a position corresponding to the active part of the fuel assemblies, the main lattice having a height equivalent to an active length of the fuel assembly and made of boron-added stainless steel;
an upper lattice disposed above the main lattice and above the active part of the fuel assemblies, and including a groove located so as to be fitted to an upper end of the main lattice; and
a lower lattice disposed between the base and the main lattice and below the active part of the fuel assemblies, and including a groove located so as to be fitted to a lower end of the main lattice,
wherein the main lattice made of boron-added stainless steel is fitted in the grooves of the upper lattice and the lower lattice and is thereby integrated therewith.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The present invention relates to a spent fuel storage rack installed in a fuel storage pool of a nuclear facility, the spent fuel storage rack having a rectangular parallelepiped shape forming lattice-like cells that are configured to separately accommodate a plurality of fuel assemblies in a matrix of rows and columns. In particular, the present invention pertains to a spent fuel storage rack to which a neutron absorption function can be imparted.
In an atomic power plant, spent fuels, which are taken out from a reactor core after an atomic power reactor has been operated for a certain period of time, are conventionally accommodated and stored in a spent fuel storage rack installed in a fuel storage pool, until a reprocessing is performed. In the spent fuel storage rack, the spent fuels are cooled for removing a decay heat thereof. In recent years, it has been required to increase a storage capacity of spent fuels by effectively utilizing a space in the fuel storage pool. In order to cope with this requirement, a distance between the stored spent fuels is narrowed, while a non-critical state between the fuels is maintained by interposing a material having a neutron absorption ability between the stored spent fuels. The interposed member also serves as a reinforcing member that supports the stored spent fuels, when an earthquake occurs. In this manner, there has been proposed a spent fuel storage rack capable of increasing a denseness.
As such a spent fuel storage rack, there has been known a spent fuel storage rack of a so-called lattice-like cell structure in which boron-added stainless steel plates, which are excellent in neutron absorption ability and in structural strength, are interposed one by one between stored spent fuels (for example, JP2000-258538A).
However, the boron-added stainless steel has a following disadvantageous feature. Namely, as an amount of added boron increases, a welding operation is more likely to impair a material strength of the boron-added stainless steel. Thus, when lattice plate members using the boron-added stainless steel are integrated by welding to form a lattice plate, an amount of boron to be added is limited, which limits an ability to absorb neutrons.
Further, when lattice plate members are integrated by welding to form a lattice plate, the welding operation is complicated, because lattice-like cells are adjacent to each other. Furthermore, since the welding operation has to be performed in the narrow lattice-like cells, it is necessary to use a special jig, which is economically disadvantageous.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The object of the present invention is to provide a spent fuel storage rack in which a part of a lattice body corresponding to fuel assemblies can be formed without welding, whereby the part of the lattice body corresponding to fuel assemblies can be formed of a boron-added stainless steel to which a sufficient amount of boron is added so as to absorb neutrons.
The present invention is a spent fuel storage rack installed in a fuel storage pool of a nuclear facility, the spent fuel storage rack having a rectangular parallelepiped shape forming a plurality of lattice-like cells that are configured to separately accommodate a plurality of fuel assemblies in a matrix of rows and columns, the spent fuel storage rack comprising: a base configured to support lower parts of fuel assemblies, the base forming a bottom surface of the spent fuel storage rack; an outer frame located above the base, the outer frame forming an outermost periphery of the spent fuel storage rack; and a lattice body disposed inside the outer frame, the lattice body forming the lattice-like cells; wherein the lattice body includes: a main lattice located on a position corresponding to the fuel assemblies, the main lattice having a height equivalent to an active length of the fuel assembly; an upper lattice disposed above the main lattice so as to be fitted to an upper end of the main lattice; and a lower lattice disposed between the base and the main lattice so as to be fitted to a lower end of the main lattice.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack wherein: the main lattice has a plurality of flat lattice plates for main lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in an x direction and extended over the overall length of the main lattice in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for main lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in a y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for main lattice; and the respective strip-like lattice plates for main lattice are fitted in the corresponding flat lattice plates for main lattice.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein: the upper lattice includes a plurality of flat lattice plates for upper lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in the x direction and extended over the overall length of the upper lattice in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for upper lattice; and the respective strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice are integrated with the corresponding flat lattice plates for upper lattice by welding.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein: the lower lattice includes a plurality of flat lattice plates for lower lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in the x direction and extended over the overall length of the lower lattice in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice that are arranged in parallel with each other in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for lower lattice; and the respective strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice are integrated with the corresponding flat lattice plates for lower lattice by welding.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein the respective flat lattice plates for upper lattice are divided at positions where the flat lattice plates for upper lattice are joined to the corresponding strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein the respective flat lattice plates for lower lattice are divided at positions where the flat lattice plates for lower lattice are joined to the corresponding strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein the outer frame, the upper lattice, and the lower lattice are made of a stainless steel.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein the outer frame, the upper lattice, and the lower lattice are made of a boron-added stainless steel having a smaller amount of added boron than that of the main lattice, or an enriched boron-added stainless steel.
The present invention is the spent fuel storage rack, wherein the main lattice is made of a metal material such as hafnium that absorbs neutrons.
According to the present invention, the main lattice, which is located on a position corresponding to the fuel assemblies and has a height equivalent to an active length of the fuel assembly, is fitted in the upper lattice and the lower lattice and secured thereto. Thus, when the main lattice is assembled and secured, it is not necessary to perform a welding operation to the main lattice. Thus, as a material for the main lattice, it is possible to employ a boron-added stainless steel to which a sufficient amount of boron is added to absorb neutrons. Accordingly, the main lattice can have a sufficient ability to absorb neutrons.
In addition, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to perform a welding operation to the main lattice for securing the main lattice, a welding amount in the lattice body can be significantly reduced as a whole. Further, the present invention eliminates the use of a special jig for the welding operation performed in the narrow lattice-like cells, which is economically advantageous.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The overall structure of the spent fuel storage rack 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention is described at first, with reference to
As shown in
In this case, an upper end surface 4a of the main lattice 4 is fitted in a groove 15 formed in a lower end surface of the upper lattice 5. A lower end surface 4b of the main lattice 4 is fitted in a groove 16 formed in an end surface of the lower lattice 6. Thus, the main lattice 4, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 are integrated and assembled with each other (see,
Next, the main lattice 4, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6, which constitute the lattice body 2, are described in detail with reference to
The main lattice 4 is firstly described. The main lattice 4 has a plurality of flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 that are arranged in parallel with each other in an x direction and extended over the overall length of the main lattice 4 in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 that are arranged in parallel with each other in a y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 (see,
The main lattice 4, which is composed of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and the strip-like plates for main lattice 11, is located on a position corresponding to fuel assemblies, and has a height equivalent to an active length L of the fuel assembly. The strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 are formed of strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11b that are in contact with flat lattice plates for outer frame 3a that constitute the outer frame 3, and other strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11a.
Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8 are slits 14b and 14d in which projections 13b and 13d formed on the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11a and 11b are fitted. Thus, by bringing end surfaces of the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11a and 11b into contact with the surfaces of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8, and by inserting the projections 13b and 13d of the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11a and 11b into the slits 14b and 14d of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8, there can be constituted the main lattice 4 which is located on a position corresponding to fuel assemblies and has a height equivalent to an active length L of the fuel assembly. The projection 13b formed on the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a is formed on one end surface 22a of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a, while the projection 13d is formed on the other end surface 22b of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a (see,
Next, the upper lattice 5 is described.
The upper lattice 5 includes a plurality of flat lattice plates for upper lattice 7 that are arranged in parallel with each other in the x direction and extended over the overall length of the upper lattice in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice 10 that are arranged in parallel with each other in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for upper lattice 7. The strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice 10 are formed of strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice 10b that are in contact with the flat lattice plates for outer frame 3a, and other strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice 10a.
Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7 is a slit 14a in which a projection 13a formed on an end surface 21a of the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10a is fitted. Thus, by bringing the end surface of the strip-like lattice plate 10a into contact with the surface of the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7, and by inserting the projection 13a of the strip-like lattice pale for upper lattice 10a into the slit 14a of the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7, the upper lattice 5 can be constituted (see,
Next, the lower lattice 6 is described.
The lower lattice 6 includes a plurality of flat lattice plates for lower lattice 9 that are arranged in parallel with each other in the x direction and extended over the overall length of the lower lattice 6 in the x direction, and a plurality of strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12 that are arranged in parallel with each other in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction and extended between the respective flat lattice plates for lower lattice 9. The strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12 are formed of strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12b that are in contact with the flat plates for outer frame 3a, and other strip-like plates for lower lattice 12a.
Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 is a slit 14c in which a projection 13c formed on an end surface 23b of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a is fitted. Thus, by bringing the end surface of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a to the surface of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9, and by inserting the projection 13c of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a into the slit 14c of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9, the lower lattice 6 can be constituted (see,
Next, with reference to
In the first place, a relationship between the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11, the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8, and the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a is described.
The strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a is provided with the projection 13b on the end surface 22a to be combined with the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8, and is provided with the projection 13d on the end surface 22b opposite to the end surface 22a of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8 are the slit 14d corresponding to the projection 13b formed on the end surface 22a of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a, and the slit 14d corresponding to the projection 13d formed on the end surface 22b of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a. The projection 13b formed on the end surface 22a of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a and the projection 13d formed on the end surface 22b of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a are staggered from each other in a height direction. Thus, the projections 13b and the projection 13d are prevented from being simultaneously inserted into the identical slits 14b and 14d formed in the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8. Therefore, the end surface 22a and the end surface 22b of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11a can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surfaces of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8.
The strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b is provided with the projection 13e on the end surface 22c to be combined with the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a, and is provided with the projection 13d on the end surface 22d opposite to the end surface 22c of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a is the slit 14e corresponding to the projection 13e formed on the end surface 22c of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8 is the slit 14d corresponding to the projection 13d formed on the end surface 22d of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b. Thus, the end surface 22c of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a, while the end surface 22d of the strip-like lattice plate for main lattice 11b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for main lattice 8.
Next, a relationship between the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10, the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7, and the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a is described.
The strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10a is provided with the projection 13a on the end surface 21a to be combined with the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7 is the slit 14a corresponding to the projection 13a formed on the end surface 21a of the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10a. Thus, the end surface 21a and the end surface 21b opposite to the end surface 21a of the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10a can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surfaces of the flat lattice plates for upper lattice 7.
The strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10b is provided with the projection 13e on the end surface 21c to be combined with the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a is the slit 14e corresponding to the projection 13e formed on the end surface 21c of the strip-like lattice plate for upper surface 10b. Thus, the end surface 21c of the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a, while an end surface 21d opposite to the end surface 21c of the strip-like lattice plate for upper lattice 10b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for upper lattice 7.
Next, a relationship between the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12, the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9, and the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a is described.
The strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a is provided with the projection 13c on the end surface 23b to be combined with the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 is the slit 14c corresponding to the projection 13c formed on the end surface 23b of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a. Thus, the end surface 23b and the end surface 23a opposite to the end surface 23b of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12a can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surfaces of the flat lattice plates for lower lattice 9.
The strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12b is provided with the projection 13c on the end surface 23d to be combined with the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9. Formed in one surface of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 is the slit 14c corresponding to the projection 13c formed on the end surface 23d of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12b. Thus, the end surface 23d of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for main lattice 9, while an end surface 23c opposite to the end surface 23d of the strip-like lattice plate for lower lattice 12b can be smoothly joined to the corresponding surface of the flat lattice plate for outer frame 3a.
Next, with reference to
As shown in
The strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12a and 12b and the flat lattice plates for lower lattice 9 are integrated by an insertion operation in which the projections 13c are inserted into the slits 14c, and a welding operation succeeding thereto, whereby the lower lattice 6 can be obtained.
As shown in
In this case, the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11a and 11b and the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 can be assembled without welding.
Next, an operation of the embodiment as structured above is described.
The main lattice 4, which is located on a position corresponding to fuel assemblies and has a height equivalent to an active length L of the fuel assembly, is fitted in the upper lattice 5 and the lower lattice 6 so as to be secured thereto. Thus, it is not necessary to weld the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 that constitute the main lattice 4, in order to assemble the main lattice 4. Therefore, as a material of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 that constitute the main lattice 4, there can be employed a boron-added stainless steel to which a sufficient amount of boron is added to absorb neutrons. As a result, the main lattice 4 can have a sufficient ability to absorb neutrons.
Further, in the lattice body 2, it is not necessary to perform a welding operation to the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 in order to assemble the main lattice 4. In place thereof, the main lattice 4 can be assembled by welding the flat lattice plates for upper lattice 7 and the strip-like lattice plates for upper lattice 10 to assemble the upper lattice 5, and by welding the flat lattice plates for lower lattice 9 and the strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12 to assemble the lower lattice 6. Thus, when the whole lattice body 2 is assembled, the number of welded portions 20 can be remarkably reduced. In addition, it is no more necessary to use a special jig to perform a welding operation in the narrow lattice-like cells 2a whose depth is deeper than the active length L of the fuel assembly, which is economically advantageous.
Furthermore, a boron-added stainless steel can be used as a material of the flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and the strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 that constitute the main lattice 4. Thus, it is not necessary to use a material capable of absorbing neutrons as a material of the other members excluding the main lattice 4, i.e., the outer frame 3, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6. Namely, a boron-free stainless steel can be used as a material of the outer frame 3, upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6. Thus, the outer frame 3, the upper frame 5, and the lower frame 6 can be integrated and assembled by welding. In this case, the main lattice 4, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 are integrated with each other, with the upper end of the main lattice 4 being fitted in the upper lattice 5, and the lower end of the main lattice 4 being fitted in the lower lattice 6. As a result, the spent fuel storage rack 1 can have a sufficient structural strength against a large earthquake load.
A space between spent fuel assemblies stored in the outermost peripheral side of one spent fuel storage rack 1, and spent fuel assemblies stored in the outermost peripheral side of another spent fuel storage rack 1 adjacent thereto is doubly blocked by the outer frames 3 of the respective spent fuel storage racks 1. Moreover, a certain gap between the spent fuel storage rack 1 and the another spent fuel storage rack 1 adjacent thereto can be filled with water. Accordingly, the non-critical state between the fuels in the spent fuel assemblies accommodated in the spent fuel storage racks 1 can be supplemented.
Next, a second embodiment of the spent fuel storage rack according to the present invention will be described with reference to
In the second embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In addition, although not shown, similar to the upper lattice 5, a flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 constituting a lower lattice 6 is divided into lattice plates at intersection points where the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 crosses the strip-like lattice plates for lower lattice 12. The divided lattice plates of the flat lattice plate for lower lattice 9 are welded to the strip-like lattice plates 12 at the intersection points.
In the second embodiment shown in
Next, a third embodiment of the spent fuel storage rack according to the present invention is described with reference to
It can be expected that a higher ability to absorb neutrons is required for the spent fuel storage rack 1 because of an increased burn-up of fuels in the future.
In the third embodiment, an outer frame 3, an upper lattice 5, and a lower lattice 6 are made of a boron-added stainless steel having a smaller amount of added boron than that of a main lattice 4, or an enriched boron-added stainless steel. Other structures of the third embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, the outer frame 3, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 may be made of a boron-added stainless steel having a smaller amount of added boron than that of the main lattice 4, or an enriched boron-added stainless steel. In this case, even when the outer frame 3, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 are welded to be assembled, there is no possibility that a material strength is impaired. Namely, when the outer frame 3, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 are assembled, a welding operation can be employed. Accordingly, the spent fuel storage rack 1 can have a sufficient structural strength against a large earthquake load. In addition, since the outer frame 3, the upper lattice 5, and the lower lattice 6 respectively have an ability to absorb neutrons, the spent fuel storage rack 1 can have a higher ability to absorb neutrons.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the spent fuel storage rack according to the present invention is described with reference to
In the fourth embodiment, a main lattice 4 is made of a metal material such as hafnium that absorbs neutrons, in place of the boron-added stainless steel. Other structures of the fourth embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, as a material of flat lattice plates for main lattice 8 and strip-like lattice plates for main lattice 11 that constitute a main lattice 4, there can be used a metal material such as hafnium that absorbs neutrons. Accordingly, the main lattice 4 can have a sufficient ability to absorb neutrons.
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 10468144, | Aug 19 2014 | NUSCALE POWER, LLC | Spent fuel storage rack |
| 8660231, | Jan 09 2009 | CCI AG | Storage rack arrangement for the storage of nuclear fuel elements |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 5668843, | Jan 26 1994 | Areva NP GmbH | Storage cage for storage and transport of fuel assemblies |
| 5898747, | May 19 1997 | SINGH, KRIS | Apparatus suitable for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rods and methods for using the apparatus |
| 6674827, | May 29 2002 | EQUIPOS NUCLEARES, S A , S M E | Segmented lattice rack to store fuels coming from nuclear reactors |
| 20030223529, | |||
| JP200174878, | |||
| JP2002107485, | |||
| JP200314882, |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Feb 12 2008 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
| Oct 20 2008 | MAEDA, MANABU | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 022111 | /0150 |
| Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
| Sep 10 2014 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Dec 30 2015 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jan 03 2020 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jan 03 2024 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
| Date | Maintenance Schedule |
| Jul 17 2015 | 4 years fee payment window open |
| Jan 17 2016 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Jul 17 2016 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
| Jul 17 2018 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
| Jul 17 2019 | 8 years fee payment window open |
| Jan 17 2020 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Jul 17 2020 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
| Jul 17 2022 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
| Jul 17 2023 | 12 years fee payment window open |
| Jan 17 2024 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Jul 17 2024 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
| Jul 17 2026 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |